ABSTRACT
Background@#Rapid social media development has led to excessive medical misinformation. In this regard, the field of dermatology is no exception. There is persistent prejudice against dermatological drugs, and many patients hesitate to take them. @*Objective@#We aimed to resolve the misconception that dermatological drugs are harmful, by analyzing the results of online surveys regarding the public behavior and perception of dermatological drugs. @*Methods@#We analyzed the results of an online survey conducted by a research institution. The survey, which had been conducted between September 2020 and October 2020, included 900 online participants aged 10 to 69 years who had taken dermatological drugs. The online questionnaire consisted of items regarding patients’ behavior in relation to skin diseases and taking dermatological drugs, and their perception of dermatological drugs. @*Results@#The main reasons for withdrawal of dermatological drugs were concerns regarding the burden of long-term use and side effects. Except for that provided by physicians, most information regarding dermatological drugs was obtained online. The most commonly reported adverse reaction was heartburn, followed by dryness, and thirst. The proportion of responders who considered dermatological drugs to be harmful was 56.1%. To address this misconception, most respondents suggested that detailed explanations of the prescribed drugs should be provided by a dermatologist, as well as vigorous communication via online media, medical papers, and educational campaigns. @*Conclusion@#Addressing misconceptions through detailed explanations and active communication can improve patient compliance, and ultimately, the general public’s skin health.
ABSTRACT
Eczema herpeticum is a widespread herpes simplex infection that favors eczema-damaged skin, including skin involved with atopic dermatitis. Here we report a case of a 27-year-old woman who presented with febrile, painful, punched-out, erosive, macular eruptions and crusts on her face, upper trunk, and antecubital fossae. Polymerase chain reaction analyses of the blood and skin lesions were positive for type 1 herpes simplex virus, and blood cultures established on admission showed methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus. She was diagnosed with bacteremia superimposed on eczema herpeticum. True bacteremia rather than contaminated blood cultures was suspected because her fever did not improve after 2 days despite the administration of antivirals. Repeated scratches to the lesional skin most likely aggravated the epidermal barrier damage, enabling the penetration of the dermal vessels by colonized S. aureus.
ABSTRACT
Eczema herpeticum is a widespread herpes simplex infection that favors eczema-damaged skin, including skin involved with atopic dermatitis. Here we report a case of a 27-year-old woman who presented with febrile, painful, punched-out, erosive, macular eruptions and crusts on her face, upper trunk, and antecubital fossae. Polymerase chain reaction analyses of the blood and skin lesions were positive for type 1 herpes simplex virus, and blood cultures established on admission showed methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus. She was diagnosed with bacteremia superimposed on eczema herpeticum. True bacteremia rather than contaminated blood cultures was suspected because her fever did not improve after 2 days despite the administration of antivirals. Repeated scratches to the lesional skin most likely aggravated the epidermal barrier damage, enabling the penetration of the dermal vessels by colonized S. aureus.